Chapter 8: Data collection methods

1. What is not an advantage of observation as a research method?

a. The obtained data are generally reliable and free of respondent bias.
b. It is relatively easy to note the effects of environmental influences on specific outcomes.
c. It is easy to observe certain groups or individuals from whom it may be otherwise difficult to
obtain information.
*d. It is a cheap and fast way to collect information.

2. The hypotheses of a study provide a good starting point for designing a questionnaire.
*a. T
b. F

3. A proper introduction of a questionnaire that clearly discloses the hypotheses of the study is
absolutely necessary.
a. T
*b. F

4. Which of the following is not a source of primary data?

a. A focus group.
b. A panel.
*c. Company records.
d. A video conference.

5. Whereas panels meet for a one-time group session, focus groups meet more than once.
a. T
*b. F

6. The main advantage of a dynamic panel is that it offers a good and sensitive measurement
of the changes that take place between two points in time.
a. T
*b. F

7. The Delphi Technique is a forecasting method that uses a cautiously selected panel of
experts in a systematic, interactive manner.
a. T
*b. F

8. The advantage of seeking secondary data sources is savings in time and costs of acquiring
information.
*a. T
b. F

9. Unstructured interviews are so labeled because the interviewer does not enter the interview
setting with a planned sequence of questions to be asked of the respondent.
*a. T
b. F

10. Structured interviews are those conducted when it is known at the outset what information
is needed.
*a. T
b. F

11. Biases in interviews can be situational in terms of:

a. Nonparticipants.
b. Trust levels and rapport established.
c. The physical setting of the interview.
*d. All of the above.

12. “Boy, the work you do must be really boring; let me hear how you experience it.”
This question is:
a. Leading.
*b. Loaded.
c. Double-barreled.
d. None of the above.

13. When conducting interviews, it is unethical that the researcher makes written notes as the
interviews are taking place, or as soon as the interview is terminated.
a. T
*b. F

14. The principles of wording refers to which of the following factors?

a. The appropriateness of the content of the questions
b. How questions are worded and the level of sophistication of the language used.
c. The type and form of questions asked.
d. All of the above.

15. The way questions are sequenced could also introduce certain biases, frequently referred to
as the ordering effects.
*a. T
b. F

16. Instead of phrasing all questions positively, it is advisable to include some negatively
worded questions as well, so the tendency in respondents to mechanically circle the points
toward one end of the scale is minimized.
*a. T
b. F

17. “Do you think there is a good market for the product and that it will sell well?”
This question is:
a. Leading.
b. Loaded.
*c. Double-barreled.
d. Ambiguous.

18. “To what extent would you say you are happy?”
a. Leading.
b. Loaded.
c. Double-barreled.
*d. Ambiguous.
19. “Don’t you think that in these days of escalating costs of living, employees should be given
good pay raises?”
*a. Leading.
b. Loaded.
c. Double-barreled.
d. Ambiguous.

20. The sequence of questions in the questionnaire should be such that the respondent is led
from questions of a general nature to those that are more specific.
*a. T
b. F

21. The sequence of questions in the questionnaire should be such that the respondent is led
from questions that are relatively easy to answer to those that are progressively more
difficult.
*a. T
b. F

22. The sequence of questions in the questionnaire should be such that you end with questions
that respondents refuse to answer.
a. T
*b. F

23. The biggest disadvantage of secondary data is:

*a. That they are not meeting the specific needs of the particular situation or setting.
b. That it is generally more expensive to collect secondary data than primary data.
c. That they are generally qualitative in nature.
d. That they cannot be used for forecasting purposes.

24. A thematic apperception test, an inkblot test and word association techniques are all
examples of:
*a. Projective methods.
b. Descriptive methods.
c. Prescriptive methods.
d. Iterative methods.

25. A disadvantage of electronic questionnaires is that this way of surveying is relatively

expensive.
a. T
*b. F

26. An advantage of face-to-face interviews is that the respondents can terminate the interview
at any time.
a. T
*b. F

27. An advantage of personally administered questionnaires is that questions can be clarified.

*a. T
b. F

28. Though demographic information can be sought either at the beginning or at the end of the
 questionnaire, information of a very private and personal nature such as income, state of
health, and so on, if considered necessary for the survey, should be asked at the beginning
of the questionnaire, rather than the end.
*a. T
b. F

29. Word association techniques, such as asking the respondent to quickly associate a word—
say, work—with the first thing that comes to mind, are often used to get at the true
attitudes and feelings.
*a. T
b. F

30. Thematic Apperception Tests (TAT) call for the respondent to weave a story around a picture
that is shown.
*a. T
b. F

31. Face-to-face interviews are best suited at the exploratory stages of research when the
researcher tries to get a handle on concepts or the situational factors.
*a. T
b. F